The Dark Knight of GLU

Chapter 21
White Lies, Black Sheets

He was furious, livid, fuming, enraged, irate and just plain downright pissed-off. The men that he was supposed to be meeting that night were having second thoughts due to the rumors floating around about his inability to maintain order in his region. This was supposed to be Buggy’s big break. This was his best chance to be noticed as the head honcho he was born to be, his chance to make it into the big time. Nothing, and no one, would stand in his way. Especially not elusive (yet always there to spoil his plans), inhumanly freakish, blade-carrying green haired men. Tonight, security would be tripled and orders would be to shoot first, forget questioning.

Alvida sauntered into the room, her hips swaying in an over-exaggerated manner catching the eye of every man in the room. A low growl from the angry boss behind the desk and the men all scampered out of eyesight. Alvida slowed her pace as she reached the brooding man. She ran her fingers over the edge of the desk as she walked by, letting her blood red nails click on the wood surface.

“Is everything in order?” She smiled wickedly when he gave her a slight nod. “You have no idea how much of a surprise it was for me to see him earlier in the station. I wonder what he was wanting with the Chief.”

“Apparently they were in tight with each other back then. It’s because of Garp that he was never arrested for all the men he slaughtered. I lost so much to that man and I’ve waited way too long for the day to extract my revenge. Maybe I’ll take his son’s hands and mail them to him. It would make a spectacular gift.” Buggy’s eyes almost glowed red with malicious intent.

“You have to catch him first.” She sat down on the edge of the desk and crossed her legs, giving Buggy the perfect view up her scantily short skirt. “Do you think he will cause problems tonight?”

“The men have been given the heads up on what to look for. If either shows, it will be lights out for them.” Buggy’s eyes never left the tempting sight in front of him. He reached out to touch the tantalizingly smooth skin only to have his hand smacked away hard. He glowered at the beautiful raven and held his only fully functioning hand to his chest.

“What about the blonde?” Alvida’s eyes narrowed in displeasure. She grabbed Buggy’s chin and pulled him up out of his chair so they were eye level with each other. “Will he go unpunished for his part in this?”

“No, I have something very special planned for him, something very special indeed,” Buggy assured her.

“Good boy.” With that she gave in and allowed him to finally touch her, closing her eyes as she pictured someone else in his place.

DK*DK*DK*DK

Zoro knew something was wrong the second he opened the door to the apartment. Maybe it had something to do with the hard sole of a shoe that connected with his face when he looked in. Zoro’s head spun and he immediately reached for his swords, which were not there. Concerned that maybe he was too late and the thugs had gotten to Sanji first, Zoro charged back through the open door tossing his bag in a random corner. He tackled his assailant and they went down in a tangle of limbs, both fighting for the upper hand and trying to pin the other to the floor.

“I swear that if I find out you’ve hurt him…” Zoro’s voice conveyed the severity of his threat.

“You’ll what, shitty-swordsman? Fucking lie to me again?”

Zoro hesitated with his fist drawn back. “Sanji? What the fuck?”

The blonde kneed him hard in the groin and Zoro gasped for breath as he rolled off to the side. He watched Sanji’s outline as the man got to his feet and stood over him. The flicker of flame from a lighter illuminated an angry face.

“You must think you’re something special now, huh? You were able to pull one over on the stupid blonde.” You could hear the slight grinding of Sanji’s teeth as he tried to control his temper. “Just how long did you intend to play me? Were you ever going to tell me the truth?”

Zoro pulled himself up to his hands and knees, glancing over to the still open door. This was a conversation that really needed to be kept private at all costs. He needed to know exactly what Sanji had found out. “Play you? What the hell are you talking about?”

Sanji delivered another blow to his jaw with his foot, sending the guy flying to the side. “I’m talking about all the lies. I came clean with you, told you everything about me stalking you and you fucking denied knowing anything! I even told you I wanted you to be the shitty bastard, and you still didn’t come clean.”

“I’ve never lied to you,” Zoro yelled back deciding that he’d had enough of being used as a punching bag that day. He swung hard with his right and wasn’t surprised when the blonde effectively dodged it. However, the hard jab with his left connected with the cook’s kidneys causing his cigarette to fall from his mouth. Zoro quickly stepped on it to prevent either of them from being burned later in the scuffle. “What bastard were you expecting me to be?”

“The FUCKING DARK KNIGHT!” Sanji screamed as soon as he caught his breath. He continued to aim his feet at Zoro’s head in an attempt to take it off his shoulders. He managed to grunt out his next comment between kicks. “I met your father earlier.”

Zoro’s swing faltered and he gave him a startled look. “What?”

“I asked you if you had anything weird about you and you said no. Here I’ve been thinking that you died you hair and it’s a fucking genetic abnormality!” Sanji miscalculated Zoro’s speed and soon found himself caught up in a crushing embrace.

“You thought that, you never asked me if it was true.” Zoro’s tone was bitter as he tried to defend his own actions. “I would have gladly answered you.”

“Then when I said that I thought you were the Knight, you told me flat out you weren’t. How is that not a lie?” Sanji struggled in the steel hold Zoro had around him. Somehow, the larger man had managed to turn them towards the couch, blocking any range of motion that Sanji might have used to kick his captor in the head.

“I said I was sorry to disappoint you. I never denied it.”

“You asshole. You think that you’re the shit don’t you? Avoiding an answer and using misleading words is just as bad as a fucking lie.” Sanji jammed his elbow as hard as he could manage into Zoro’s right side. The arms around him loosened and he broke free. They stood on opposite sides of the coffee table panting, trying to catch their breaths.

“And if I had told you, then what?” Zoro’s voice was strained as he focused on ignoring the pain in his still tender wound. He watched Sanji walk over to the window and pull the curtain back to let a little more of the moonlight in.

Sanji looked over and held his gaze for a moment before returning to stare out the glass. “For once I thought that I had found something honest and true in you. I wanted so badly for you to be the Knight because then I wouldn’t have to feel like such a whore for letting you have your way with me.”

“I didn’t force you to do anything.” Zoro stated in his defense as he slowly walked over and sat at the table behind the blonde.

Sanji gave a half laugh full of pain and heartache. “No… you didn’t. I guess I thought that if you and the Knight were the same, it would be like finding the perfect guy.”

Zoro scoffed at the idea. “As you’ve discovered, I’m far from perfect.”

“No, you’re actually the perfect example of what not to get involved with.” Sanji ran a hand through his hair, allowing Zoro to see more of the side the blonde usually hid from the world.

“It was never my intention to hurt you. I only hid the truth from you because I couldn’t risk everyone finding out.” Zoro rested his forehead in his hands as the stress of the day began to show. His shoulders sagged, his eyes were bloodshot, and his head was pounding from the rash treatment it had received. “Seriously, if I had told you who I was when you printed the first article, would you have still given me a chance or would you have exposed me?”

Sanji stilled his clenching fists and furrowed his brow further. He wanted to say that he would have given him a chance, but then he would have been the liar. Back then, they hadn’t kissed yet, and he would have rather had the story than some geeky looking Batman wannabe.

“That’s what I thought,” the swordsman sighed in defeat. He stood up from the table, his chair scraping loudly on the hard floor. It was no use. He’d come too late to fix things now. If only he had taken Ace’s advice and told him sooner. “Saving you that night was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. I risked everything that night stepping into the alley. If I had been caught it would have been the end for me.”

“And all the others? Why’d you save them?” Sanji’s eyes were still full of anger as the blonde glared at him.

“Wrong place, right time. All of them except for that redheaded bitch.”

“Watch what you say about Nami, shithead.”

“The bitch fucking hit me in the head with a lead pipe!” Zoro pointed to his jaw where the metal had connected.

“And I’d pay to see her do it again.” Sanji let a small quirk of his lip escape before he controlled his features again. He’d almost slipped up there and let out a smile. He began to think back on the interview with the lovely young woman. “Luffy knew it was you. Why would you show yourself to him? He can’t keep a secret to save his life.”

Zoro did let a little grin appear as he thought about the high-spirited boy. He joined Sanji at the window, hoping that he wouldn’t regret the action in the near future. “Actually, I tried to pretend I found her unconscious a few blocks down and decided to bring her to his place, but he already knew who I was. He’d been keeping it a secret for quite a while.”

“Who else?” Long slender fingers fished out the crushed pack of cigarettes and began looking for one that was in decent enough shape to salvage.

Zoro was hesitant in his answer. He didn’t want to lie anymore, but was concerned that the truth might be too much right now. His eyes were focused on the flame that had just appeared in Sanji’s hands.

Sanji lifted his head and blew out a steady stream of smoke. “Still keeping secrets Marimo?”

“For now. I think I’ve had enough beatings for the day.”

“Tough shit.” Sanji reached out and smacked Zoro upside his head in the general vicinity that Zoro pointed to when he was complaining about Nami.

“What the fuck, ero-cook?” Zoro rubbed his aching head and scowled at the frowning blonde.

“Shit, I can’t believe I never put it together. The Japanese, the training at the dojo, the timing… I had it all right. Somehow I just happened to follow you on a slow week.” The frown deepened. “You knew I was behind you in that alley, didn’t you?”

“Aa. It was worth it too, taking those hits. I’ll never get tired of seeing you go all out like that.” His grin faded and a troubled look settled on his face. Zoro’s eyes were intense as he studied Sanji for a moment. “I have to meet my father soon to take care of something. When we’re done, I want to sit down and tell you everything. I swear… no more secrets after this.”

“You’re still keeping something from me.” Sanji narrowed his eyes accusingly.

“I’ll tell you everything in the morning, and I’ll even bring my father over to meet you properly.”

“Why the morning? Why not now?”

Zoro closed his eyes and thought to the task planned for the night. “He and I have some things to work out first.”

Sanji watched the troubled looks pass over Zoro’s face and assumed that he was referring to his hero activities as well as his sexual orientation. He had an idea that the older Roronoa already knew that his son was gay, but the other part would undoubtedly be a rough topic. Sanji knew that it could possibly mean he would lose his mother’s inheritance if it didn’t go well. He wondered if maybe Zoro’s grandfather had any idea of what was going on. Did Smoker know? Was that how Zoro had kept from being caught?

No matter how things turned out with his father, things between them were strained at the moment. A simple apology would not excuse this betrayal. Sanji’s pride demanded retribution while his heart longed for the other man’s embrace. He crushed his spent cigarette in the ashtray on the table and studied Zoro intently, wondering why the other’s eyes were still closed. “You’ve really fucked up this time shitty-swordsman.”

Zoro smiled sullenly as he remembered the first time he’d heard Sanji use that phrase. “Hai.”

“I hope you don’t expect me to forgive you immediately.” Sanji closed the gap between them so they were almost nose-to-nose. “You get one chance. You lie to me, or keep something of this proportion from me again and that’s it.”

“When things are done with Tousan, I’ll tell you anything you want,” Zoro opened his eyes slowly, pouring every ounce of honesty and emotion into his words.

The instant his lips touched Zoro’s, Sanji vied for control. All of the pain of betrayal that had festered in his heart throughout the day was poured into his aggression. Gone were the niceties and consideration for any injuries Zoro might have had as he bit at tender flesh. He fisted his hands into Zoro’s hair pulling hard to crush their mouths together. Sanji’s soft pink lips moving hungrily against Zoro’s rough, chapped ones, as they both fought to get closer to the other. A small sigh of relief escaped when Zoro’s hands worked under his shirt and wrapped around him, pulling their bodies flush against each other.

When Zoro made no move to take things further, Sanji was torn between screaming in frustration and crying in defeat. His emotions had been put on such a rollercoaster as of late that he was beginning to feel like a woman. The gentleness that Zoro was treating him with was only emphasizing it more. Sanji gave a slight grunt of annoyance and shoved his lover away from him hard, making sure he was pushed in the direction of the bedroom. Sanji quickly followed, continuing to shove him backwards every time he slowed down and shaking his head every time Zoro started to open his mouth. The instant they crossed the threshold to the bedroom, Sanji slammed the door shut and attacked Zoro’s mouth again. It was a clashing of tongues and teeth, sloppy and full of unabashed desire.

Sanji could feel Zoro fighting against himself, releasing control to the blonde reluctantly. Knowing that the powerful fighter was doing his best to submit was almost enough to make Sanji’s knees buckle beneath the tidal wave of lust that flooded him. Sanji grabbed the back of Zoro’s shirt and yanked it up over his head, exposing the well-developed torso in the pale moonlight. Immediately, the cook returned to his assault on his lover’s mouth. He could feel Zoro’s body shiver with excitement as he let his hands roam over the battered chest, tracing old and new scars alike. Large calloused hands caressed his back under the shirt and traveled down to tease at the waistband of his slacks. Sanji could feel Zoro’s arousal pressing against his own through their clothes and a needy noise escaped his throat as he struggled to begin removing his own shirt.

Sanji watched as Zoro stepped back and bent down to remove his own boots, tossing them towards the closet door so they wouldn’t be tripped over later. For once, the Sanji was happy that the idiot wore loose clothing. It was so much easier to remove than the fitted suits the blonde wore. Sanji watched the swordsman’s body as he continued to disrobe. Every movement accentuated different muscles in his arms and legs, making the irritated cook want to kick his ass all over again for misleading him like that. It had been only a short time since they had sex, but Sanji hadn’t been able to appreciate the entire experience since he was restricted in sight and movements. He wanted to be able to feel those exquisite muscles under his hands, beneath him, in him, around him. Fuck, he just wanted the asshole to hurry up and do SOMETHING other than stand there watching him strip.

Sanji threw back the comforter to reveal black silk sheets that he had put on earlier that evening when he came home. He turned around to force the muscle headed moron onto the bed when he was caught up in a heated kiss. Their naked bodies seared to each other while hands searched for every inch they could reach, caressing and groping alike. Sanji was about to shove Zoro away again when the taller man sank to his knees at Sanji’s feet. Dark eyes looked up at him with compassion and hope, causing the blonde to lose his focus for a moment. Zoro’s tongue started at the base of his cock and licked the full hard length to the tip, making sure to catch the pearl of moisture that had appeared. Sanji swallowed hard as he watched kiss-swollen lips surround his head and suck gently.

“F-f-fuck.” Sanji could feel his eyes almost roll back in his head as he fought to keep his knees from giving way. Still not wanting to be coddled, he grabbed Zoro’s head and forced him to take more of his rigid shaft. Zoro’s hands gripped his hips firmly, stopping the impalement for a moment before suddenly taking the blonde’s entire length down his throat. Sanji almost came when Zoro swallowed once, and gave up trying to last when the man did it again. “Aaaahhh…”

Zoro drank down every drop, not wanting to leave it to chance that this would be his last opportunity to take pleasure in the taste of his lover. When Sanji’s body finally stopped shuddering, he released the softening flesh with a loud pop and reached over to grab a small tube out of the pocket of his jeans. The last time they did this, he had to improvise. This time things would be completely different in every way. Zoro got to his feet, steadying the slowly recovering cook, then climbed onto the lavish sheets, beckoning Sanji to follow.

Zoro fell onto his back when given a firm shove by his lover. He watched the lithe muscles move beneath pale skin as the blonde climbed atop him. He pulled Sanji down and kissed him deeply, letting Sanji get a taste of himself, breaking the seal of their lips to nibble and suck a trail across the narrow jaw to a slightly hidden ear beneath golden hair. Zoro tugged on the lobe with his teeth, loving the hiss of pleasure it elicited. Sanji tried to move so that he was straddling Zoro’s hips, but the green-haired man refused to allow it. Zoro bit into the soft flesh of Sanji’s neck, laving it with his tongue to relieve some of the sting.

Sanji growled annoyance at being denied what he wanted. He turned his head and licked up the side of Zoro’s neck, smiling in victory when the man beneath him shivered in pleasure. He continued down his path, nibbling on the protruding Adam’s apple and the edge of his collarbone on his way to Zoro’s sensitive chest. Sanji paid extra attention to the small nipples, finding that Zoro made the most alluring noise when he tugged on the pert buds with his teeth.

The journey continued diagonally down as Sanji trailed over the scar on the tanned chest with great determination. The cook’s hands were kneading the muscles in Zoro’s hips and thighs, avoiding getting too close to the rigid member. When he reached the dip in the juncture of thigh and hip, Sanji was stopped by a soft tug to his hair. Tempted to ignore the request, Sanji stilled for a moment in thought. Something cold was shoved between the fingers of his right hand and he opened his eyes to study the object. His head popped up to look at the determined features of his bedmate. Sanji started to protest, but Zoro shook his head and tried to relax his body.

“Trust goes both ways.” Zoro shifted around until Sanji was laying off to one side.

“Have you ever?” Sanji asked quietly.

Zoro remained still, only turning his head to look across the room to the window. His eyes were glazed as if in deep thought. “If you leave me here like this you’ll never get another chance.”

The same words that Sanji had said to the Dark Knight while in that unknown kitchen. Sanji wasted no time opening the cap on the tube of lube and squirting a generous amount into his hand. So many of his dreams of late would be coming true tonight. Moving between parted thighs, Sanji attacked Zoro’s mouth again with renewed vigor. He coated his own member before moving still slick fingers to the tightly clenched opening. Sighing in frustration, he edged Zoro’s legs further apart and slid the first finger in.

“Don’t.” Zoro protested. At the confused look on Sanji’s face he continued. “Just skip it.”

“It’ll hurt, dumbass. You’re gonna want to be able to walk later, right?” Sanji slid a second finger in and smirked at the wince of pain that Zoro showed. “If you weren’t a fucking virgin, I wouldn’t even bother.”

Zoro scowled at him and then arched up off the bed as Sanji began stroking his prostate. “O-oh… ahhh.”

“Shitty-swordsman,” Sanji chuckled and doubled his efforts to abuse the swollen gland.

Zoro’s body was shaking with excitement, his cock dripping pre-cum onto his stomach as Sanji enjoyed his position of control. Without warning, he removed his fingers from Zoro’s warmth. It was strange to hear the powerful man almost whimper at their loss. Sanji pulled Zoro’s legs up over his shoulders and positioned his head at the loosened entrance. They held each other’s eyes as he slowly slid in, not stopping until he was fully seated. Small beads of sweat began to appear on Zoro’s brow and Sanji forced himself to stay still and not lean down to wipe them off. He knew that even if Zoro didn’t show it, he had to be in a small amount of pain.

“Did you forget what to do?” Zoro taunted, tightening the muscles in his ass to gain the blonde’s attention.

“Just making sure you can handle it. I wouldn’t want to break my new toy the first time I play with it,” Sanji shot back as he pulled out a few inches.

Zoro was about to argue when Sanji drove back in causing the green-haired man’s mind to go blank. The pace was deliberately slow; each thrust long and measured. Sanji wanted it to last as long as possible, in case it never happened again. It had been way too long since he had been with another man. Women were much more plentiful and willing to lie beneath him. The exquisite feeling of being buried deep inside Zoro’s tight ass was pure heaven. The little gasps of enjoyment the man was making with each thrust were the only thing he wanted to change. Sanji wanted to make Zoro scream. He pushed Zoro’s legs towards his chest, bringing the tanned hips up off the mattress slightly and giving him a better angle.

Zoro fisted his hands in the sheets beneath him. His inner self was screaming at him to fight against this while his heart told him to shut up and let his lover have his way. The pain of Sanji entering him was more than he had expected so he tried to bait the blonde like normal to cover up his discomfort. The mind numbing jolts of pleasure that shot up his spine with every thrust blanked out all other thoughts. His legs were pushed up against him and it felt like he had been shoved from a frozen lake to a pit of lava. His entire body was on fire as Sanji began slamming into his prostate repeatedly. Zoro threw his head back and cried out.

“Sanji! Oh, fuck yes! Harder… don’t stop… aahhh…”

Zoro blindly grabbed for Sanji, finding the long lean thighs just above the knee. He gripped hard and began pulling with every thrust, wanting to feel everything down to his very soul. He heard Sanji give a strangled gasp before his request was granted. Sanji was suddenly on top of him, pinning his legs uncomfortably between them while attacking his mouth with renewed aggression. Zoro brought one hand up to tangle in thick blonde hair, yanking the blond back when he tried to pull away. Their kisses were heated and erratic, here and there between their cries of passion. Unable to hold back any longer, Zoro arched his back high off the bed and came with an echoing call of his lover’s name.

Sanji’s body began to shake as his own orgasm started to take hold. The sound of his name on Zoro’s lips, the feel of hot liquid pulsing between them and the tightening of strong muscles around his cock were all too much to withstand. He buried his face into the crook of Zoro’s neck and bit down hard, stifling his own cry of release. It took several minutes for both of their bodies to stop quivering in post orgasmic bliss. Sanji turned his head and captured Zoro’s lips in a tender kiss before rising to let Zoro’s legs fall into a more natural position on either side of him. They both groaned slightly as Sanji slid out of Zoro and then relaxed a little more into each other.

They lay there tangled up, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking. Zoro’s eyes shot open when he realized that he had actually thought of what they had done in the terms of love. Yosaku had asked him earlier if he loved the cook, but he couldn’t answer. If asked again at this moment, he would have to say… Sanji began to snore lightly against Zoro’s chest and the swordsman chuckled silently at the endearing sight. He rolled the blonde off him to his back, gently so as not to wake him. Zoro reached down, picked up a discarded shirt and tried to clean them both a little before the sheets began to stick to their bodies. He looked over to the clock and sighed. He would need to leave soon.

DK*DK*DK*DK

Zoro glanced down at the man sleeping beside him and prayed he was doing the right thing. Slowly he crept out of the bed they shared and slipped on his pants. There was a dull pain in his ass, but nothing he couldn’t work around. Fighting with the gunshot wound was worse than this. Looking around, Zoro decided not to bother with his shirt or boots, knowing that he would be removing them as soon as he got to Luffy’s to change. Another look to the blonde and his heart tightened in his chest. Would this be the last time he had a chance to look upon him? Would he ever see him again? Having his father at his side during the fight would help his chances greatly, but they were still severely outnumbered. Still, he couldn’t just walk away. If he didn’t take care of this soon, someone else would definitely be hurt. Zoro himself had already been shot, what would happen if it were Sanji next time… or Jiji.

No. He needed to leave. He needed to end this. He needed his bag.

His left the bedroom to search the front room, knowing it had fallen somewhere during the beginning of the fight. His face paled when he realized that the front door was still standing wide open. So much for privacy. As soon as it was in hand, he began digging. Soon a set of silver dog tags emerged on a standard issued chain. Zoro laid them on the corner of the nightstand next to the alarm clock where Sanji was sure to see them as soon as he awoke. A soft touch to a set of still slightly kiss-swollen pink lips and Zoro whispered quietly.

"Ne... Sanji... Hontou ni...daisuki da yo..." [You know... Sanji...Honestly, I... love you.]

Assuring himself he’d be coming back, Zoro quickly left for the apartment just down the hall.

DK*DK*DK*DK

Johnny opened the door and gave out a loud wolf whistle. “Damn, Aniki! Just go into battle like that and you’ll make your opponent die of a nosebleed.”

The others joined in the laughter as Zoro shoved his way into the room. Usopp stood there gaping at the horrific scar on Zoro’s bare chest. The green-haired man looked at him with an eyebrow raised in question.

“You want one to match?”

Usopp shook his head violently.

“Then make sure you come to me with any more forensic evidence regarding the Knight case.”

Again, Usopp’s head moved rapidly, this time in affirmation.

Luffy clasped Zoro on the back and gave him a huge smile. “I think the entire building heard you guys. I offered to go close the door, but they told me that I should mind my own business.”

Johnny and Yosaku began backpedaling when Zoro growled at them. “Luffy, from now on, don’t listen to these two unless they have a written note from me.”

“OK.” Luffy stuck his tongue out at the panicked couple.

The swordsman entered the bathroom and hurried through a quick shower. As soon as he was done, he began to dress, thankful that Ace kept a bottle of baby powder in his medicine cabinet. Leather wasn’t the easiest thing to get on sometimes. Once he had the pants on, he stepped back to look at himself in the full-length mirror on the back of the bathroom door. He had to admit, it looked good. A basic short-sleeved black t-shirt was added to the ensemble followed by the black jump boots. From the bottom of the bag, he pulled out a black bandanna and tied it to his upper arm.

He stood still with his eyes closed for a moment, envisioning every fight he’d been in since he had arrived. He tried to recall every face he had come up against, every style, every weapon. The man who had held the knife to Sanji’s neck stood forefront in his mind, followed by the one who had repeatedly hit his blonde in the stomach. Those two were his; otherwise, he and his old man would share the glory. A polite knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. He opened it to see Yosaku standing there, worriedly twisting the ribbons holding a package together.

“After what happened last time, we wanted to make sure that you were better protected.” The embarrassed man held out the package, blushing deeper when he let his eyes travel over his best friend’s body.

Zoro took the heavy gift and pulled the ties to unfold the cloth protecting it. He began to chuckle when he realized what it was. A finely knitted haramaki of deep green, lined with slats of Kevlar for protection. How they got their hands on it, he had no idea, but it would be greatly appreciated since the wound on his side was still tender.

“Arrigato, Yosaku-kun.” Zoro embraced him tightly.

Johnny peaked around the corner and smiled gently at the touching scene. “Zoro-aniki, it’s almost time.”

Zoro gave Yosaku a brief squeeze before letting go completely and heading for Ace’s bedroom. He found his swords already waiting for him in the middle of the bed along with a brand new zip-up black hoodie.

“The other one was pretty nasty so we bought you a new one. It’s a size smaller, but the hood is bigger so it should still cover your face pretty good. Besides, everybody who will be there already knows who you are anyway.” Luffy stood in the doorway watching as Zoro donned his new armor and secured his swords at his side. “Take care of Ace for me. I still don’t think it’s fair that he gets to go and I don’t, but someone has to keep an eye on Sanji.”

“Between you four, I think you can handle anything that comes your way.” Zoro patted the pouting boy on the back.

Luffy preened with unabashed pride at the compliment. They walked together to where the others were standing. Tears filled Johnny and Yosaku’s eyes as they tried to hold back their emotions. Usopp sat there with his sketchpad, hurriedly mapping out details of the Dark Knight’s appearance as best he could before Zoro was out of sight.

“You have your mission. If anything goes wrong, call Jiji, he’s one of the drivers so he’ll be close by.” Zoro tossed Johnny his phone. “If Sanji insists on leaving, let him, but somebody needs to follow and keep tabs on where he is at all times. If you lose him, call his father, he’ll be waiting.”

“Kick their ass Zoro!” Luffy punched his fist into the air with enthusiasm.

“Definitely.” Zoro opened the door and stepped out into the hall only to come face to face with the last person he wanted to see at that moment. “Sanji…”

“What the fuck is going on?” Sanji had slipped on a pair of loose fitting lounge pants and a plain white t-shirt, the chain and tags clutched firmly in his hand.

“Kuso,” Zoro mumbled. “You’re supposed to be sleeping.”

“And you’re supposed to be in bed with me,” Sanji shot back. His eyes went from toe to head as he took in Zoro’s appearance, his eyes narrowing further at the black hoodie and the three swords strapped at his waist. “Something to take care of with your father, huh?”

“It’s the truth, Sanji. Ask your dad, he knows what is going on. Zoro’s dad is the original mpfh-” Luffy struggled to breath as his mouth and nose were covered by one of Zoro’s hands.

“Stay out of it, this isn’t your fight.” Zoro demanded of Sanji. He released his victim when Luffy’s struggling eased.

“What does my father know?” What could Zeff possibly know about Zoro when they had never met, or was Luffy referring to something else? The original what? Sanji thought back to his encounter with Roronoa Sr. earlier that day when Zeff had introduced Frank as an old friend. It was true that Zoro’s father was quick and strong; he managed to get the upper hand with Sanji earlier without the blonde suspecting a thing, but the goofy teen couldn’t possibly mean that Frank was the original Knight… could he? “Bullshit. I don’t believe you.”

“Ask him, but I suggest you wait until morning. He’s a bit busy with other things right now, as am I.” Zoro tried to push past the blonde but the angry cook refused to budge.

“You walk out right now without telling me what’s going on, you’d better be prepared to not come back,” Sanji threatened.

“That’s already a possibility.” Zoro’s phone rang in Johnny’s pocket and the green haired man held out his hand. Zoro answered it without taking his eyes off the furious face of his lover. “Hai… Hai… I’m on my way.”

Sanji brought his fist back only to hesitate when a single tear escaped and slid down Zoro’s cheek. It was just enough to throw him off balance and the swordsman slipped past him and down the stairwell. Sanji looked to Zoro’s accomplices and all the pieces started to fall in place. “Something big is going down, isn’t it?”

The four men looked uneasily at each other, afraid to directly answer.

“FUCK!” Sanji stormed back into his apartment and rummaged around for a set of loose fitting black clothing. When he had woke up it concerned him that the bed was already cold. He turned on the light and saw Zoro’s boots and shirt still on the floor so he knew the man couldn’t have gone far. The dog tags caused an uneasy feeling to stir in his gut. Looking around the apartment, he still didn’t find him. Wondering if maybe he had gone to check up on Ace, the cook wandered out into the hall. It was then that he was met with the cold hard truth. There was no denying that Zoro was indeed the Dark Knight now.

In less than two minutes, Sanji finished getting dressed and slipped into a comfortable pair of old shoes, the clinking of the tags could be heard occasionally as he moved. Johnny and Yosaku were waiting for him outside the door. Their saddened faces told him that whatever decision they had come to was not an easy one.

“I don’t know where they went, but we’ll go with you over to your dad’s place to talk to him. We promised Aniki we would keep you safe. Don’t dishonor us by refusing to let us help.” Johnny bowed deeply at the waist before Sanji.

Knowing that the pains in the ass guys were just following orders, Sanji grudgingly agreed. There was also the chance that he could get more information out of them in the mean time. They had just entered the elevator when they heard the explosion. The three of them looked at each other and began to dread what the source of the blast might be.

The instant the lift doors opened they ran out into the parking lot to find Sanji’s car upside down and engulfed in flames. The doors were missing and all the cars around it were damaged in varying degrees. A shape could be seen hanging out the driver’s side, burned beyond recognition.

“Zoro,” Sanji whispered and collapsed to his knees in shock.

Johnny and Yosaku began screaming and tried to run for the smoldering vehicle, bystanders holding them back the best they could. Soon Luffy and Usopp came flying out of the apartment building to join them in their panic. Across the street, a smug looking man with a large white dog sat watching the commotion, snapping pictures with a small digital camera.